International IDEA’s Third Democracy Forum to be held in Stockholm 23 to 24 June 1998

Press Release: 

International IDEA’s Third Democracy Forum to be held in Stockholm 23 to 24 June 1998

Stockholm 21 April 1998 -- Some 150 high-level politicians, democracy experts, and opinion-makers will gather in Stockholm, Sweden 23 to 24 June 1998 to attend the third Democracy Forum organized by International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance).

For two days participants from around the world will meet and discuss the global development of democracy from the angle "A Culture of Democracy: Interpretations, Prospects and Obstacles."

With a current membership of 17 countries and four international non-governmental organizations, International IDEA promotes and advances sustainable democracy world-wide. It provides a meeting-place for all global actors involved in democracy promotion.

The 1998 Forum will discuss the culture of democracy from a regional angle in panels focusing on developments in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, South East Asia, and the Arab world. On 24 June, International IDEA will also launch its publication "Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers." The closing session will discuss the future of international co-operation for democracy.

"Some twenty-five years ago, the majority of the world’s nations were ruled by military juntas, dictators or politburos," says Mr. Bengt Säve-Söderbergh, Secretary-General of IDEA. "Today, hundreds and millions of people who previously suffered under tyrants have the right to vote, one of the most spectacular changes in modern history . But will democracy become consolidated in the countries where it has recently emerged? A society can superficially be democratic but lack democrats. This forum will discuss the factors which may or may not contribute to a culture of democracy, necessary to uphold sustainable democracy beyond elections."

Confirmed speakers at the Forum include Ms.Charity Kaluki Ngilu, Member of Parliament and Presidential candidate in the 1997 elections, Kenya, Mr. Boudjema Ghechir, President of the Human Rights League, Algeria, Mr Michael Bratton, Author of Democratic Experiments in Africa and Professor at Michigan State University, USA, Ambassador Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, Executive Secretary, Global Coalition for Africa, Mr John Esposito, Author of Islam and Democracy and Professor at Georgetown University, USA, Dr. M.S. Gill, Electoral Commissioner, India, Ms. Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo, former Prime Minister, Portugal and Dr. Richard Jolly, Author of the United Nations Development Report, United Nations Development Programme, USA.

The 1998 Democracy Forum coincides with the annual council meeting of International IDEA, as well as the board meeting. A meeting of electoral management bodies of member countries will also be held from June 21 to June 22 1998.

The two previous International IDEA Democracy Forums were held in Stockholm in June 1996 and July 1997.

The Forum panels are open to the media and a press kit will be issued in connection with the event.

International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) was founded in February 1995. The Institute’s overall objective is to promote and advance sustainable democracy world-wide and to improve and consolidate electoral processes. To date, Members are Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Namibia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, the International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, and Parliamentarians for Global Action. The Institute also has co-operative agreements with the International Commission of Jurists, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the United Nations Development Programme. Switzerland also contributes to the work of the Institute.